Jesus described life as a choice between two paths, one broad and easy, the other narrow and less traveled (Matthew 7:13-14). Represented by these paths are the only two options available to us: the worldly life of the broad path or the Godly life of the narrow. The fact of the matter is, we are all either walking according to the course of this world or we are walking in wisdom (Ephesians 2:2; Colossians 4:5).

Last week we began looking at Proverbs 3:1-12 where Solomon exhorts us to do six things that can help us walk in wisdom. It is wisdom which ultimately helps us to stay on the straight and narrow path that leads us to our Lord. We noticed wisdom dictates that we obey (1-2), remember (3-4) and trust God (5-6).

Next, on our journey toward wisdom, we are commanded to reverence God (Proverbs 3:7-8). Solomon identified the fear or reverence of the Lord as the beginning of both knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7 & 9:10). It is the beginning of knowledge because knowledge is the full body of truth that tells us what is right and what is wrong. It is the beginning of wisdom because wisdom tells us the proper application of knowledge. When we blend these two verses together, the idea seems to be that if we walk in wisdom, we will have a sober reverence for God and a holy desire to please Him no matter what.

The fifth thing we are encouraged to do is honor God with our substance (Proverbs 3:9-10). It is easy to say that we love God, but here the proverb writer says “put your money where your mouth is.” Learning to give is an important factor for those who would walk in wisdom. Wisdom dictates not only that we give, but that we do it cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). One who is wise knows that it is “more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Our giving is a reflection of our love for God. As one writer put it, “giving should be your favorite financial activity.”

We learn from the story of the widow’s mites that the Lord takes note of what we give (Luke 21:1-4). No matter how much or how little we have, we can honor the Lord with our substance. How we give is more important to the Lord than how much we give. The writer of Proverbs affirms that when we give like we should, we will be blessed by God (Proverbs 11:24-26). When we honor the Lord with our substance, we put ourselves into the flow of His blessings. As we give, God blesses; out of that blessing we will find ourselves giving again, and on the process goes, “he that watereth shall be watered also himself” (Proverbs 3:25). Jesus reaffirmed this principle when He said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38).

The final aspect of wisdom in Proverbs 3:11-12 is probably the most difficult. If we want to walk in wisdom we must submit to God’s chastening. The writer of Hebrews states that if God left us alone when we needed correction, we would be illegitimate children (Hebrews 12:6-11). You see, God’s chastening and correction is proof of His love. He knows everything that is going on in our lives, even those things that are hidden deep within our minds (Jeremiah 17:10; Ezekiel 11:5). When we need to be corrected, we should receive God’s chastening as His dear children trusting that He knows what is best for us. We should also remember that the very nature of His inspired Word is that it reproves and corrects us when we are wrong and instructs us in what is right (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

If we will allow God’s Word to guide us, it will help us walk in wisdom and travel down that straight and narrow path that leads to heaven. David was chastened sternly by God at times, but His prayer to the Lord was, “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness” (Psalms 143:10).

Choosing to walk in wisdom makes us happy people and builds us up spiritually (Proverbs 3:8). Our bodies will age and break down, but the spiritual man can be renewed by wisdom day after day (2 Corinthians 4:16). “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13).

If you have a Bible question, please call (830) 868-9911, email ccbond@email.com or visit worship services. The church of Christ in Johnson City meets on Sunday at 10am for Bible Class, 11am for Worship, 6pm for Worship and on Wednesday at 7pm for Bible Class. Further Bible study opportunities are available through the Gospel Broadcasting Network at www.gbntv.org streaming Bible lessons 24 hours a day, Sundays at 7:30am tune in to KLBJ 590 AM for a radio Bible Study with Don Walker, at 12 noon tune in to KDRP FM 100.1 for a Bible Study with John Moore and In Search of the Lord’s Way airs on Austin channel 54 on Sunday mornings at 8:00.

Readers are solely responsible for the content of the comments they post here. Comments do not necessarily reflect the opinion or approval of Johnson City Record Courier. Comments are moderated and will not appear immediately.